Water Damage Restoration in Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque by the numbers: 63 flood report days from 2016 to 2025, 125 freezing nights a year, 10 federal disaster declarations since 2016. Below: first steps, the records, New Mexico insurance help and costs.
Updated October 31, 2026
First Steps for Water in a Home in Albuquerque
- Burst pipe: shut the main water valve, then open the lowest faucet to drain the lines (burst pipe steps).
- Stay clear of wet outlets and cords.
- Photograph the damage, then call your insurer.
How Often Albuquerque Floods
Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance and Valencia counties logged flooding on 63 days from 2016 to 2025 (85 NOAA reports), July most often.
At the Albuquerque 1.7 SSE gauge, July is the wettest month with 1.8 inches on average.
| Month | Flood report days | Normal precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0.5 |
| February | 0 | 0.5 |
| March | 0 | 0.7 |
| April | 1 | 0.7 |
| May | 1 | 0.4 |
| June | 10 | 0.5 |
| July | 25 | 1.8 |
| August | 16 | 1.6 |
| September | 9 | 1.5 |
| October | 1 | 1 |
| November | 0 | 0.7 |
| December | 0 | 0.6 |
| County | Flood report days | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| Sandoval County | 27 | 32 |
| Bernalillo County | 26 | 31 |
| Torrance County | 10 | 12 |
| Valencia County | 9 | 10 |
Freezing Nights in Albuquerque
Albuquerque averages 125 nights a year at or below 32°F (Rio Grande Nature Center station). About 41 of them drop to 20°F or colder. NOAA counted 90 winter storm, ice or extreme cold days in Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance and Valencia counties from 2016 to 2025.
Unheated crawl spaces, attics and garages freeze first (Red Cross); keep the heat at 55°F or more (IBHS).
Storms and Disasters in Albuquerque
Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance and Valencia counties were named in 10 federal weather or fire declarations since 2016 (OpenFEMA).
Notable NOAA storm reports
- June 25, 2026: Tornado, EF0 (Valencia County)A NWS Employee captured video of a landspout tornado beginning in an open field southwest of I-25 and NM Highway 6, moving ENE and crossing the intersection turning to the NE moving through multiple businesses.
- September 17, 2024: Thunderstorm wind, 79 mph gust (Sandoval County)The combination of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and the remnants of Tropical Storm Ileana across eastern NM underlaid strengthening southwesterly flow aloft ahead of an approaching storm system over UT and ID.
- May 26, 2023: Hail, 3.5 inch hail (Torrance County)A trained spotter reported hail stones up to 3.5 inches in diameter west of Encino. This resulted in a broken car windshield.
- July 23, 2021: Tornado, EF0 (Sandoval County)A brief landspout tornado was seen near Idalia Road and Highway 528 in Rio Rancho. No damages were reported.
- September 29, 2017: Flash flood (Valencia County)Retention ponds in Belen overflowing into neighborhoods on west side of Belen. Widespread street flooding in town. Travel along Interstate 25 becoming very difficult as water is ponding along the highway.
Federal disaster declarations
- July 10, 2025: Severe Storms, Flooding, And LandslidesFlood, FEMA EM-3628
- June 22, 2025: Cotton 2 FireFire, FEMA FM-5594
- June 21, 2025: Desert Willow Fire ComplexFire, FEMA FM-5593
- April 18, 2025: Rio Grande FireFire, FEMA FM-5579
- April 2, 2023: Echo Ridge Fire, Nm FmagFire, FEMA FM-5461
- May 4, 2022: Wildfires, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Mudflows, And Debris FlowsFire, FEMA DR-4652
- April 11, 2022: Big Hole FireFire, FEMA FM-5430
Albuquerque Housing at a Glance
Census figures for the city of Albuquerque (American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024): 258,178 housing units, a median build year of 1982, 47% built before 1980, 28% before 1970, 62% owner occupied.
New Mexico Insurance Help for Water Claims
Claim problems in New Mexico go to the New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance.
Flood damage needs a separate flood policy, which typically starts 30 days after purchase (FloodSmart). Look up Albuquerque flood zones on FEMA's flood maps.
Restoration Cost Guide for Albuquerque
| Typical range (national) | Cost |
|---|---|
| Most jobs | $1,305 to $5,707 |
| Sewage, per sq ft | $7 to $7.50 |
| Average insurer payout, water or freeze claim | $15,400 |
Sources: Bob Vila, May 2023; III, 2019 to 2023.
Questions
When is the first freeze in Albuquerque?
The median first night at or below 32°F is October 20 and the median last is April 23 at the Rio Grande Nature Center station (NOAA normals, 1991 to 2020).
How fast does mold start?
Dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours (EPA).
Sources: NOAA Storm Events, NOAA normals, OpenFEMA, Census ACS, EPA mold guide.